Chapter 264: Nightmare: The Great Hunt

Watching the countless streams of data flowing through quickly, Annan felt the familiar sense of weightless falling gradually returning.

It was as if the stagnant air around him was gradually melting.

Annan, who was suspended in the void, also began to gradually fall.

“…Honey, I want you to know that some cursed people don’t deserve this, but some people deserve it.” Annan heard a somewhat familiar voice ringing in his ear.

He was a little surprised because of that voice…

It seems to be the fourth prince, Albert’s voice?

At the next moment, Annan’s consciousness completely plunged into darkness.

“…Your Highness? Your Highness Annan?” He heard a cautious voice ringing in his ear.

At that moment, Annan even thought that he hadn’t entered the nightmare smoothly.

But soon he reacted.

He noticed that he seemed to be sitting on a chair, and the world in front of him had become much larger.

Wait, not really so.

He’s getting smaller.

“Sorry, I just fell asleep.” Annan subconsciously showed a tired expression and spoke in a childish voice.

He noticed that he seemed to be staying in a luxurious palace.

He wore a coat akin to the mink’s fur; the exotic fur was pure white with intricate silver embroidery.

But what baffled him was that even though it was heavy, Annan didn’t feel hot wearing it.

Annan could clearly feel that the room temperature was about 28°. Seeing the thin clothes of the maids walking around in the palace, Annan could immediately tell that it should be summer now.

The maids who were chatting look over as though they had noticed Annan’s movement.

One of them was a woman with long black hair and dark red pupils. Annan couldn’t tell the exact age, but it was fair that she was already in her adulthood. She wore a dark yellow gauze with black spots reminiscent of the wings of a moth. She had a calm expression, bright eyes, and a natural demeanor.

The one chatting with her was a young man who appeared to be in his twenties.

He was approaching 180 meters tall with deep blue pupils, a thin and well-proportioned figure, and a straight back. His pure black long hair draped to the waist. They were well-taken care of, smooth and supple.

The youth’s skin was as cold and bloodless as jade. He wore the same clothes as Annan’s. However, unlike Annan, he didn’t even have the typical wolf fur on his neckline. His body was clean, and there wasn’t even a single bit of dirt between his fingernails.

But what didn’t fit with his flawless appearance was that he kept frowning and looked serious. Perhaps because of the frequent frowning, there were faint wrinkles on the forehead.

“What’s the matter, Annan?” He frowned, walked over, and asked plainly, “Are you tired?”

Those comforting words in a concerning tone didn’t carry any emotions. Instead, it was calm to the level of indifference.

“Your Royal Highness Dmitri.” The servant behind Annan leaned forward slightly, put his hand on his chest, and respectfully saluted the young man in front of Annan.

Is it Dmitri Austere-Winter?

So what he is using now is the body of Annan Austere-Winter when he was a child?

Annan immediately realized the backstory of this dungeon instance.

Taking my height as an estimate, this body is currently about 9 or 10 years old.

Then, the timeline should be 4 or 5 years ago.

Could it be this nightmare is about what happened when Prince Albert and Kafni met Annan back then?

Then, this person…

Annan’s eyes moved to the lady who gave the impression of calm and dependable.

She should be the Princess Royal of Noah Kingdom, Elizabeth Noah.

It’s really hard to notice that she is in her fifties.

“Yes, I’m a little tired.” But when Annan’s thoughts were racing, he j stood up and lowered his head apologetically, “Sorry…”

“Just go to rest if you are tired,” replied Dmitri calmly.

There was no emotion in his pupils and words as if he was made of ice.

He turned his head and asked Elizabeth plainly, “Your Highness, Princess Royal, is there anywhere I can give Annan to have a rest? There are too many people here, and Annan’s health has never been well.”

“We do have a place.” Princess Royal chuckled and nodded gently to Annan.

Her voice was calm and generous, giving a strong sense of comfort in sharp contrast to Dmitri’s, “Let’s have Annan to the garden located at the side hall to have a rest. There is a flower field that was blessed by the Silver Sire’s pope. It nourishes the body and mind quite effectively.”

After she finished speaking, she turned to look at a young maid in a white short-sleeved maid uniform with her hands clasped in front of her chest.

“Marie, lead the way,” she said softly.

The maid bowed solemnly and replied, “Yes, Your Highness.”

At this moment, an old man not far away stood up silently.

He had a thin, skinny build with sunken cheeks and deep eye sockets. He had little hair, wore a pure black outfit like mourning clothes, without the slightest color.

He stood silently behind Annan, bowed respectfully and politely to Princess Royal.

Annan recognized him immediately.

He’s Merlin Manning I’m talking about last night.

The maid glanced at the silent old man with some fear, walked to Annan, and couldn’t help smiling at his tender face.

She bowed and reached out her hand to Annan, coaxing softly, “Please come with me, okay? Your Highness Annan…”

Annan didn’t hesitate and passed his hand to the maid. He followed her to the side hall where the crowd was sparse, and the old man followed quietly.

At this moment, Annan finally saw the introduction mission of this dungeon instance.

“1498, August 8th.

“As Annan Austere-Winter — the youngest son of Austere-Winter’s Grand Duke, you follow your brother, Dmitri to attend the 80th birthday of the Noah Kingdom’s old king in the place of Austere-Winter’s Grand Duke, Ivan·Austere-Winter.

“This is the first friendly diplomatic interaction between the two countries since the Austere-Winter Dukedom and the Noah Kingdom were at peace. It marks the rejuvenation of business and trade between Austere-Winter and the Noah Kingdom…

“—if everything goes well.

“Very unfortunate, and rightfully so — someone wants to ruin the hard-won peace.

“And it’s very simple.

“Whether it’s Annan, Dmitri, Elizabeth…or anyone else, as long as one person dies, this birthday party will turn into a grand funeral.

“And, the fuse for the next war.

“What’s more? They didn’t want to kill just one person.

“It’s going to be the Great Hunt ritual—

“Perhaps it’s too hard for you, who is only 9 years old, to stop this. But only you can do it because only you can act freely at this birthday party since you are young.

“Stay alive. Interrupt the conspiracy. Keep more people alive—”

[In this nightmare, you are blessed by “Mr. Ray”. You will continue to recover health and mana after leaving the battle.]

[In this nightmare, you are blessed by the “Silver Sire”, and all “Silver Sire’s” [Divine Art] ability checks + 1.]

[In this nightmare, you are blessed by the “Mysterious Lady”, which nullifies all the effects of ritual on you.]

[In this nightmare, you are blessed by the “Old Grandmother” and acquire your body’s original Falteration Wizard level.]

[Main Mission: The Man of Brilliance]

Immediately after, three side missions appeared.

[Guarantee the survival of “Annan·Austere-Winter”, “Dmitri·Austere-Winter”, “Elizabeth·Noah”, “Kafni Noah”.]

[Find and interrupt the key ritual.]

[Do not reveal your identity.]